Description
Easy Maque Choux is a classic Southern Creole dish featuring a creamy, flavorful blend of sweet corn, bell pepper, onion, and tomatoes simmered together with a touch of bacon grease and cream. This comforting side dish is simple to prepare in one skillet and perfect served alongside grilled meats or seafood.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease or butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (14 to 16-ounce) bag frozen sweet corn
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Creole seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Vegetables: Dice the onion and green bell pepper, and mince the garlic to get all your fresh ingredients ready for cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the bacon grease or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook while stirring frequently for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Corn, Tomatoes, and Cream: Stir in the frozen sweet corn, drained diced tomatoes, and heavy cream until well combined. Add the salt and mix thoroughly.
- Simmer the Mixture: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the corn is cooked through and most of the liquid has evaporated, creating a creamy texture.
- Season & Rest: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with Creole seasoning if desired. Remove from heat and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes to thicken and meld the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Bacon grease adds authentic smoky flavor, but butter can be used for a milder taste or vegetarian adaptation (omit bacon grease).
- Use fresh corn in season if available, but frozen corn works perfectly year-round.
- Creole seasoning is optional but highly recommended for added depth and traditional Southern flavor.
- This dish pairs beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, or can be served as a comforting side on its own.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the cream adds richness that’s characteristic of the dish.
